I am close to getting my first pair of Aldens very soon. I have read a lot about them and feel they will be a good investment. Hope they last a long time! My question is about the slipperiness of the soles. I want to these as all-purpose boots. I don't plan to do a lot of serious hiking or anything but am concerned about the grip overall. I looked at the rugged Aldens but am not sure about the look. Not overly concerned with SA just look a little odd. What are the opinions out there with the standard 403/405's regarding the slipperiness?
Way too slippery for me too hike in. On snow and ice the same results. Don't get me wrong, love my Aldens just not my rugged light weight 15 mile round trip hiking boot I'd choose. But then again all hiking trails around here are mostly sandstone and sand.
Hi AZ Pete, funny I grew up in Chandler, out on Greenfield and Queen Creek. A lot different now than 30 years ago.
On the gripage question... I think it depends. For an all purpose every occasional hike I don;t think you would have problems. You do have to get used to it though; just think Alden have a traditional leather sole, so do many other types of boots. People all over the West wear boots and don't have a problem, you just have to get used to the difference. I have worn Justin Ropers most of my life and have day hiked in them just fine, worked in them just fine, I even had an old pair I changed the vamp on to make them taller and used them a swashbuckler boots to fence and fight in when I was in a fight troupe. As well I used to train in them in the dirt when I was a competitive fencer to learn stability (needless to say on the piste I never had unsteady footwork). Again you just have to get used to them.
While I'venever had a problem with slippage in my aldens while hiking or anything, I have slipped coming into a house out of the rain to a polished wood floor. The other time I slipped was through slimy fog juice at a halloween party. But I've worn my through dozens of hikes, through the Ozark mountains, and backpacked with them across Europe while I was college and never had a slippage problem. They've been a great pair of boots and I have had a great time with them.
The problem I had with my newest pair (purchased February last year) was the stitching ripping between the two sole pieces. My other issue with this has been that Alden could not repair this problem with their refurb service.
My other pair I bought ten years ago only recently developed this problem in the past two weeks...
What I've preordered with great excitement is these beauties: http://www.leathersoulhawaii.com/2008/1 ... -in-stock/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
There is a new waitlist for them, you might try to get your name on the list if that option interests you. From what I understand is the quality of leather soles boots are much better than what Alden is currently offering, and the price difference is pretty minimal for the (supposed) quality improvements.
As someone who wears Aldens almost all the time, I can honestly say I've never had a problem with traction. I've worn them in the snow, in a river, across eastern Europe, hiking through Missouri, and while riding my motorcycle, and I don't think I can say I've ever had a problem with traction that I wouldn't have had with any other pair of boots.
whipcracker wrote:Hi AZ Pete, funny I grew up in Chandler, out on Greenfield and Queen Creek. A lot different now than 30 years ago.
Hey Whipcracker -
I'm sure it has changed a lot over the last 30 years. One thing that hasn't changed is the heat. I'm used to it though. Lived here long enough. I actually can't stand anything less than 70 degrees anymore. Can't even enjoy the top down on the Jeep until it is above 70 degrees!
How slippery? For me, VERY. I had MANY times I was playing "Slip and slide" in rainy weather. The sole has no grooves in it for any kind of added traction whatsoever. Anyway, that's just my experience.
I've told this story before, so I'll keep it short.
I wore mine to my father-in-law's funeral, and I was one of the pall bearers. His grave was at the top of the hill in the family cemetery. It was a snowy day in Kentucky, and halfway up the hill my Alden's lost all traction.
Bottom line, it took 10 of us to get that coffin up that hill, bu 9 of them were carrying the coffin and dragging ME along to keep me from sliding clear back down that long driveway.
I'm sure my father-in-law would have found the whole situation funny. I was horribly embarassed.
So, yes....in certain situations, Alden 405's are slick. VERY slick.
I hiked up Eyjafjallajökull today in my three year old Alden 405s. I don't think I'd like to repeat the experience. While the grip was okay on the glacier and my feet stayed pretty dry, but walking across very rocky volcanic ridges is a nightmare. The boots don't really absorb much shock and every step on the way down was a pretty painful experience. That said, at least they finally look screen accurate now.
While the grip was okay on the glacier and my feet stayed pretty dry, but walking across very rocky volcanic ridges is a nightmare. 
The boots don't really absorb much shock and every step on the way down was a pretty painful experience. That said, at least they finally look screen accurate now. 